Arshdeep needs support; Key decisions PBKS should take for IPL 2026 to end trophy drought

Shreyas Iyer for Punjab Kings - (Source: AFP)

Punjab Kings were the most improved team in IPL2025, as the Shreyas Iyer-led side finished 1st in the league stage and were the runners-up. Punjab nearly ended their trophy drought vs RCB, but the latter had some other plans, and the Preity Zinta-owned side lost in the final for the second time in their history.

Punjab are going through an interesting time as they don't have much to change in their squad, but still need to make key decisions to cross the final hurdle and end their trophy drought. Meanwhile, this article will shed light on what key amendments PBKS should make ahead of the IPL 2026 season. 

1. Revisit overseas options

One of the strengths for Punjab compared to other IPL teams is that they have a strong Indian core, who are in form and were the driving force behind carrying the team to the final in IPL 2025. 

The likes of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh made sure to set up the platform early on in the innings, while Shreyas Iyer and Nehal Wahdera looked after the middle-order.

In the bowling, Yuzvendra Chahal looked after the spin department, while Arshdeep oversaw the pace attack. However, PBKS had minimal help from their overseas talents.

The foreign talents did perform, but it was a different star on different occasions. None of the players was consistent, and eventually, PBKS could not boast about their overseas talent like GT can with Buttler or RCB with Phil Salt.

Thus, PBKS need to revisit their auction strategy and get rid of talents like Glenn Maxwell, Lockie Ferguson, Xavier Bartlett, and Azmatullah Omerzai, who are either injured or out of form.

Let's look at how PBKS's overseas talent performed in IPL 2025.

2. Lack of squad depth 

Punjab Kings have a solid playing XI and one of the best teams on the pacer. However, the Shreyas Iyer-led side lack squad depth. The issue here is that the players who have been brought into the team as back-ups lack any game time of any sort, and PBKS might suffer a lot in case of a serious injury.

Notably, Pyla Avinash, Vishnu Vinod, Harnoor Singh, and Kuldeep Sen got no matches in the tournament and other players like Musheer Khan, Pravin Dubey, and Yash Thakur haven't done well as well for the Kings. 

Thus, for the upcoming season, PBKS need to give more game time for their back-up players or either bring in players at the auction with game time.

3. Bring in a specialised India seamer to help Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep Singh was PBKS's best bowler in IPL 2025 and took 21 wickets to end the season as the fifth-leading wicket-taker. After Singh, Marco Jansen was their best bowler with 16 wickets, but here is where the issue lies.

Other than these two, Vijaykumar Vyshak was PBKS's best Indian seamer with just four wickets in five matches. Thus, PBKS need to bring in a specialised Indian seamer, who can assist Singh and also take the pressure away from him of performing in every match and picking up wickets.

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